Notes from the
November
7, 2007 Classified Senate Meeting
From Senate President: Barbara Nagel
Cindy Bontrager, from the KSU Budget Office, made a presentation to
the Senate on "Budget 101." Cindy explained what's in the budget, what
funds make up the budget, how the budget has changed over the last eight
years and how the budget is developed each year. She also explained
the legislative budget cycle and the budget allocation process. Cindy's
presentation pointed out why attracting and retaining students is so
vital to K-State with tuition funding providing 42% of the total general
use budget. The Senate plans to incorporate Cindy's budget presentation
into a classified employee forum at some future date.
Gary Leitnaker, HR, reported that employees with a satisfactory evaluation
on file will receive the $860 classified bonus in the December 14th
paycheck. Probationary employees are also eligible for this bonus with
the submission of a special evaluation. The Governor has granted an
additional holiday for December 24, 2007. Department of Personnel Services
(DPS) is optimistic about the recommended changes to the state pay plan.
Veteran's Day is November 12 in which classified employees who work
earn 1.5 hours of holiday comp.
Kansas Council of Classified Senates, Emporia State University, Fort
Hays State University (was unable to attend), Kansas State University,
University of Kansas, Pittsburg State University and Wichita State University,
met on Monday, November 5, 2007 at the KSU Alumni Center with Sue Peterson,
Assistant to the President and Director of Governmental Relations moderating
the meeting. The purpose of that meeting was to draft the unified position
paper for FY2009 Legislature.The position paper is used as a unified
statement from the Regents universities for Legislative Day. Instead
of a position paper this year, the KCCS decided to draft a resolution.
The final draft is being revised, but will be posted on the Senate's
web page when complete. The resolution will be sent to all Kansas Legislators,
Kansas Board of Regents Members, Regents University Presidents, Regents
Classified Senate Presidents, Regents Faculty Senate Presidents, and
the Regents Student Senate Presidents.
The Kansas Board of Regents, Council of University Business Officers
(COBO) met on November 7, 2007 to discuss classified leave enhancement
in which they approved the proposal below. The classified leave enhancement
will require action by COBO, Council of University Presidents (COPS)
and the KBOR before final approval. It now goes to COPS and is on the
agenda for tomorrow's meeting, November 14.
Employees with less than five years of service would earn 3.7 leave
hours/ pay period
Employees with more than 5 but less than 10 would earn 5.5 hours/ pay
period
Employees with more than 10 years of service would earn 6.7 hours/ pay
period
304 hour cap for all tiers
The Campus Affairs Committee reported on the recap of the Benefits Fair
and working with Cindy Bontrager on the classified budget presentation.
The next meeting is November 14 at noon in Ackert 324.
The Legislative Affairs Committee reported that Legislative Day will
be February 4 & 5. By-law revisions were accepted through article
VI with corrections to the listing of administrative units. Additional
corrections to the remaining articles were given to co-chairs Connie
Kissee and Marlene Walker to correct for the next Senate meeting. The
final meeting of the Oversight Commission was held on October 15. Statements
were presented by a select group including Jennyfer Owensby, President-Elect
KSU on behalf of KCCS. Statements made by Owensby to the Oversight Commission
can be viewed on the Senate web page at: http://www.k-state.edu/class-senate/
The Recognition Ceremony Committee reported receiving good feedback
from the Classified Employee of the Year survey. Deans, Directors and
Unit Heads are also providing critical feedback on the nomination process.
The deadline for submitting the survey is Friday, November 16. The survey
can be found on the Senate web page. The committee is currently accepting
nominations for Employee of the Year with a deadline of November 30,
2007. The Recognition Ceremony is scheduled for April 2, 2008. The committee
will also be looking at dates for the ceremony in 2009. The next meeting
is November 13, 2007 in 202 of the Union.
The Public Relations Committee reported that the November ROAR is posted
on the Senate Web page. Hard copies were mailed to facilities and housing
& dining employees. Suggestions or comments for future articles
in the ROAR can be submitted to Melissa Linenberger at mwaso@ksu.edu
or Lois Shreiner at lshrein@ksu.edu
.
The Alternative Service Committee (ASC) has reviewed and discussed the
proposed recommendations by the Hay Group for changes to the state's
pay plan and has decided to wait, roughly six months, to see what the
state legislators response will be to these recommendations. The ASC
agrees that the proposed changes are positive and addresses many of
the inadequacies the committee has identified with the current pay matrix
in the state's civil service system. The chair of the ASC, Barb Nagel,
will keep the committee informed of any pertinent information during
the months ahead. The committee will reconvene in early spring to assess
the state's progress. It is the committee's hope that the state legislators
will support and fully FUND the recommended changes by the Hay Group.
Senate meeting that have been rescheduled are: January 2nd has been
changed to January 9th, and April 2nd has been changed to April 9th.
Rooms to be announced at a later date.
Next meeting is December 5, 2007 in the Union, room 212.